Wheelbarrow Race 2017

The Haddenham Wheelbarrow Race has now become a much loved village event, and the sheer physical effort required to cover the course deserves to be recognised and admired by those of us who merely watch and enjoy the spectacle from the sidelines. Here, Helen Lewis provides her summary of this year's race.

This year's wheelbarrow race consisted of 17 pairs, three female teams, one mixed pair and the rest guys.

Pairs were released to start the race at one minute intervals, and were required to cover a challenging pub-to-pub course around the village before returning to the start/finish line at the Sports and Social Club on Woodways Recreation Ground.

The winning time was just over 15 minutes, an impressive performance achieved by a pair of young lads from the Fitlife gym.

Thank you to John and Chris Carnell and Simon and Joanne Whitney for adjudicating for us once again this year, we couldn't do it without them. They also decide on the best fancy dress prize, which was given this year to Postman Pat and Jess the cat, otherwise known as Alan Lewis and Tim Finch, who decided to forfeit their prize to Lady Penelope and Parker aka Mrs Karen Bryson and Mrs Sally Marshall.

We have raised an amazing £652.35 to be split equally between the British Heart Foundation and the Village Community Vehicle!

A very big 'thank you' to everyone who pushed or contributed.

A warm thank you must also go to the public houses for their support, as all monies raised go to the two charities.

Special thanks also to Ian Bamford at the Sports and Social Club for hosting this event once again and taking part himself with his team Mate John Bryson.

Already looking forward to next year!

Lots more photos to enjoy (courtesy of Dr Hugh Stradling) in our GALLERIES section on this website, and a wider portfolio is featured on the Haddenham.net Facebook page.